Electromagnetically-operated device



Aug. .5 1924. 31,503,980

E. R. CARICHOFF I ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED DEVI CE Filed Sept. 18.1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2.

lnVenbov 2 /5 Bugs e R. Carichoff,

y, ,rai fiw His Attorney.

Aug. 5 191240 E. R. CARICHOFF ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED DEVICE FiledSept. 18 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5.

" n EN W" 111.

IT'h/CETTLDOT" 3 Eugene R. Caicho y I /Mw Q His Atto Patented Aug. 5,1924.

UNITED STATES 1,503,980 PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE IR. CARICHOFF, OF SCHENECTAD'I, NEW YQRK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERALELEC- TRIG COMPANY, A CQ RPORATION 01* NEW YORK. I

ELECTBOMAGNETIGALLY-QPERATED DEVICE.

Application filed September 18, 1920. $eria11to. 411,189.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, EUGENE R. GARICHOFF, a citizen of the United States,residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inElectromagnetically-Operated Devices, of which the following is aspecification.

'My invention relates to improvements in clectromagnetically operateddevices, and in particular to improvements whereby electromagneticswitches may be manufactured device used cheaply and be neverthelessefiective and reliable in operation. For an understanding of the objectsof my invention and the various advantageous features of constructionand arrangement, reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein lhave embodied my invention in concrete form for purposes ofillustration, and in which Fig. 1 is a side view of an electromagneticswitch; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a detail of Fig. 1with certain parts brokenaway showing the relative position of thevarious parts when the switch is in the closed position; Fig. 4: is aside view of another form of an electromagnetic switch embodying myinvention and having normally closed and normally open contacts; Fig. 5is a plan view of the same; 'Fig. 6 is a sideview of an electromagneticswitch somewhat similar to the switch of Fig. 4 with the switch in itsattracted position and its normally open contacts in their closedosition; Fig. 7 is a view of an electromagnetic switch somewhat similarto the switch of Fig. 4: with the switch in its attracted position-andits normally open contacts in their closed position, the essentialdifference between Fig. 7 and Fi 4 being the provision of a magneticblowoul arrangement for both the normally "open and the normally closedcontacts; and Fig. 8 is a detail showing a resilient stop in connectionwith certain forms of my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the electromagnetic switch therein shownfor the purpose of showing an electromagnetically operated device inaccordance with the invention, is provided with an operating winding 10mounted on the core 11 of" the electromagnet. The magnetic circuit ofthe electromagnet comprises a magnet frame 12 which serves as asupporting member for the armature member 13. The frame 12 is preferablyformed of a stamping of fiat magnetic material bent or otherwise formed,depending upon its size, into the shape of a letter l. with one end ofthe same secured to the core 11 of the electromagnet by being clampedbetween the core 11 and the supporting base 14: of slate or otherinsulating material. The other end of this supporting member is providedwith two oppositely disposed apertures or slots or cutaway portionswhich are adapted to receive the projections or pins 15 which areintegral with and form a part of the armature member 13, and comprisesone of two integral projecting portions on the lower end of the armaturemember. This armature member is preferably formed of a stamping of flatmagnetic material with a kicked-up end 16, the other integral projectingportion on the end of the armature member, thus providing a portiondisposed at an angle to the main'body of the armature member with arounded edge 17 upon which the armature member rocks to and fro. Thekicked-up end 16 provides a stop for the armature member when in theunattracted position, and the armature is biased to the unattractedposition by means of a spring 1'? held in place by the bolt 18 whichpasses through the kicked-up end 16 and the supporting member 12. Thebolt 18 has a screw head and the value of current at which the armaturewill pick up can therefore be adjusted. A resiliently mounted wipingcontact 19 is secured to the armature member 13 by means of a bolt 20and a spring 21. The movable contact 19 cooperates with a stationarycontact 22, and the arcs formed between the movable and stationarycontacts are disrupted by means of the magnetic blowout having a coil inseries with the wiping contacts. This magnetlc blowout comprises thecoil 23 and the side straps 24 of magnetic material between which thearc chute 25 of refractory material is secured. These side straps 24 areprovided with holes punched out and uniformly spaced so that the strapon one side of the arc chute 25 is identical with the strap on the otherside. In other words, the straps are interchangeable, and to that endthe straps are provided with two holes, one of which is shown at 26, sothat regardless of the side of the arc chute on which the strap is used,a hole will be provided for the reception of the means for securing thestationary contact in place with respect to the movable contact, the arcchute and the blowout coil. These side straps are formed with a bent end27 which hooks into depressions in the arc chute 25 so as to positivelyhold the arc chute in position.

As thus constructed and arranged, the operation of my invention is asfollows: When the winding 10 is energized, the armature 13 will be movedto its attracted position in engagement with the core 11 of theelectromagnet, the armature rocking on the rounded edge 17 at the apexof the angle formed by the end 16, and the kicked-up end 16 operatingagainst the strain of the spring 17. It will be observed that the pins-15 are slightly bent, and that these pins serve to keep the armaturefrom rocking sidewise with respect to the magnet frame, the pins alsoserving to maintain the armature in position when the armature is in theunattracted position. The movable contact 19 after making engagementwith the stationary contact 22 is given a wiping action therewith byreason of the shape of its contact surface and the resiliency of thespring 21.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the advantages of myinvention from the standpoint of manufacturing. Practically all theparts can either be stamped or otherwise formed, depending upon theirsizes, from a strip of sheet metal of uniform width and thickness, andthe switch lends itself very readily to large scale production. The pinand aperture or the pin and slot hinge connection between the armatureand its support is very simple and effective. There are practically noparts that must be very accurately and nicely fitted to each other, andthe switch can be ver quickly, assembled. even by those not shilled in emanufacture of switches. The armature ma be stamped or otherwise formed,depen ing upon its size, from a fiat strip of magnetic material, and thedesi is such that the armature can be made i machine completel in oneoperation, or, if desired, two operations, the second operation beingthat of kicking up the end 16 and bending the pins 15. The holes for thereception of the various bolts, such as 18 and 20, can be stam ed orotherwise formed at the same time t at the armature is originally cutfrom the stock material. The supportin member 12 is so simple inconstruction t at it can readily be stamped or otherwise formed in oneoperation, and the same is true with respect to the side straps 24 ofthe magnetic blowout device. It will also be noticed that the winding$5001 of the electromagnet ma be very read" y removed from the front 0the switch by simply removing the bolt 18 so as to thereby remove thearmature 13. This is of advantage from a practical standpoint in that incase the switch winding is rendered defective for any reason, a newwinding spool may be replaced by a very simple operation without thenecessity of removing the switch from its support and practicallydisassembling the switch.

Referring to F igs. 4 and 5 wherein my invention is embodied in anelectromagnetic switch'having normally open and normally closedcontacts, the armature 28 of a stain ing of flat magnetic material isbent slightly at its mid-position, and the upper end of the armaturecarries a resiliently mounted contact 29 which is normall in the openposition and the lower end 0 the armature carries a resiliently mountedwiping contact 30 which is normally in the closed position. The magnetframe of the electromagnet which also serves as the supporting means forthe armature, comprises the L- shaped stamping 31 which has a pin andslot hinge connection with the armature 28. This pin and slot hingeconnection comprises the pins 32 and 33 which cooperate with suitableslots in the armature so as to position the armature with respect to itssupport and the operating electromagnet 34. The support 31 is providedwith a kicked-up end 35 which is disposed at an angle to the mainportion of the su port. A rounded surface 36 at the apex of the anglebetween thekicked-up end 35 and the support 31 provides a bearingsurface on which the armature 28 rocks to and fro. The spring 37cooperates with the kicked-up end 35 and the armature 28, and the bolt38 secured to the kicked-up end passes through a hole in the armature 28and holds the parts in place. This resilient means causes the armatureto be biased to the'position at which the lower contact is normally inthe closed position and the upper contact is normally in the 0 enposition. When the winding of the e ectromagnet is energized thearmature is attracted to the core of the electromagnet against thestrain of the spring. The ar mature 28, the support 31, and the contactfingers may be formed of stampings of flat magnetic material, or theseparts may be otherwise made, depending upon their size and thepracticability of forming these parts from stampings.

The operation is as follows: Whenthe winding 34 is energized so as toattract the armature 28, the armature will rock on the curved surface 36against the strain of the spring 37. This will cause the contact 30 tomove to the open position and the contact 29 to be moved to the closedposition.

By referring to Figs. 6 and 7, it will be seen that my invention readilyadapts itself to various forms of switches of this general switch isshown with the armature in the A Laoaeso 8 character, so that by placingtheioperating electromagnet below the support for the armature, and byreversing the position of the L-shaped support, the upper contact can bemade the normally closed contact and the lower contact the normally opencont-act, It will be observed from this Fig. 6 that the attractedpositionr By referring to F ig. 7, it will be seen that the. switch ofthis figure is substantially like that of Figs. 4: and 5, with theexception that an additional electromagnet 39 is provided for the lowerset of switch'contacts. The switch in this figure is shown with thearmature in its attracted position. It will be observed from this figurehow readily my invention adapts itself to various re uirements, and thatthe electromagnet 39 aving an independent magnet structure ma be addedto the arrangement of the switch of Fig. l without any alteration of theswitch shown in t. This electromagnet 39 may be used to hold the upperswitch contacts open and the lower contacts closed. fhus, the upper coiland contacts may be used as a line or reversing contactor for a motorand the lower coil and contacts may be used to complete a dynamicbraking circuit for the motor and to hold the upper contacts open untilthe dynamic brahin is completed, This arrangement has t e same advantageas the arrangement described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, inthat the magnet spool is readily removable from the front of the switchwithout disassembling the switch. The spool may be removed by simplyremoving the bolt 38, the armature 28, being thereby freely removablefrom the front of the switch.

The specific form of my invention disclosed in Figs. Al, 5, 6 and 7 andas described above, is claimed specifically in divisional application,Serial No. 654277, filed July 12, 1923.

Referring to F ig. 8, the arrangement for resiliently mounting theswitch contacts is shown in detail. ln this figure the armature 20carries the switch contact a l, and the armature also carries the pin1-2 which passes through an aperture d3 in the switch contact. Betweencollars and 45 is mounted a spring 46 on a sleeve 47. When armature.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, l havedescribed the principle operation of my invention, together with theapparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but

of said projecting portions disposed at an angle to the second portionto form a stop for limiting the movement oi the armature memberproviding an edge at the apex of the angle thereoi about which thearmature rocks, and the second of said projecting D portions serving asthe pin part of a pin and slot hinge connection between the sand mem-2., An electromegnetically operated device comprisin a magnet framemember, an electromagnet supported within the magnet frame, an armaturemember cooperating with the magnet frame member to complete the magneticcircuit of the magnet, one of said members having two integral angularlydisposed projections on one end th reoi which cooperate with slots inthe other memher to form a hinge connection between the members, andsaid member having also an integral central projection disposed at anangle to the body of the member between the said projections which formthe hinge connection, the said central projection disposed an angleserving as a stop for limiting the movement of the armature member andproviding an edge at the angle thereoi which the armature rocls,

frame member, and resilient means forming a part or the said device forbiasing the armature member to the unattracted positron,

4-.. An electromagnetically operated device having a magnetic circuit ofstampings from its the end of one of said members kicked up at Y anangle to the main body of the member' leaving an integral projection oneach side of the central portion extending from the main body of themember, the said projections passing through slots in the other memberto form. a hinge connection between the members, and the said centralportion forming a stop for the armature member and an edge at the apexof the angle thereof about which the armature member rocks.

5. An electromagnetically operated device having a magnetic circuit ofstampings from a flat strip of magnetic material of uniform width andthickness, the said magnetic circuit comprising an Lshaped magnet framemember and an armature member cooperating with the frame member tocomplete the magnetic circuit, an electromagnet secured within the angleof the said frame member,.

one of said members having an end with an integral central portiondisposed at an angle to the main body of the member and an integralprojection on each side of the said central portion extending from themain body of the member, the said projections passing through slots inthe other member to form a hinge connection between the members, andresilient means cooperating with the said control portion of one of themembers and the (other member for biasing the armature member to theunattracted position and permitting the armature member to move to theattracted position by rocking about the apex of the angle between thesaid central portion and the main body of the member carrying the saidcentral portion. I

6. An electromagnetically operated device comprising an L-shaped magnetframe member formed of a stamping of flat magnetic material, anelectromagnet within the angle of the magnet frame, an armature memberbiased away from the electromagnet and.

formed of a stamping of flat magnetic material, cooperating with themagnet frame to complete the magnetic circuit of the electromagnet, oneof said members having an integral projection which cooperates with anaperture in the other member to form a hinge for the armature, and oneof said members having a rounded surface on which the armature rocks.

7 An electromagnetically operated device comprising a magnet framemember, an electromagnet within the frame, an armature membercooperating with the magnet frame to complete the magnetic circuit ofthe magnet, one of said members having two projections cooperating withcorresponding apertures in the other member to form a hinge connectionfor the armature with the magnet frame, and a rounded surface on themember having the said projections on which the armature rocks;

8. An electromagnetically operated device comprising an electroma net,an L-shaped magnetic frame member t erefor formed of a stamping of flatmagnetic material, an armature member formed of a stamping of flatmagnetic material cooperating therewith to complete the magnetic circuitof the magnet, a hinge connection between the members formed by anintegral part of one member passing through the other member, and akicked-up end on one of the members having the said integral partproviding a bearing surface at the apex of the angle between the saidkicked-up end and the main body of the said member having the saidintegral part on which the armature rocks.

9. An electromagnetically operated device comprising an electromagnet, amagnet frame' member, an armature member cooperating therewith tocomplete the magnetic circuit of the magnet, a connection between thesaid members for positioning them with respect to each other, one ofsaid members havlng a portion disposed at an angle to the main bodythereof to provide an edge at the apex of said angle between the saidportion and the main body of the member on which the armature rocks, andresilient means cooperating with one of said members and the saidportion disposed at an angle on the other member for biasing thearmature member to the unattracted position.

10. An electromagnetically operated device comprising an e ectromagnet,a magnet frame member, an armature member cooperating therewith tocomplete the magnetic circuit of the magnet, a pin and slot hingeconnection between the members, one of said members having a portiondisposed at an an 1e to the main body thereof pro-V viding a caringsurface at the apex of the angle on which the armature member rocks, andresilient means cooperating w1th one of said members and the saidportion disposed at an angle on the other member for biasing thearmature member to the unattracted position.

11. An electromagnetic device comprising an electromagnet having anarmature member and a magnetic frame member, one of said members havinginte al projections cooperatin with correspon ing slots in the other memer forming a hinge connection between the members, the'member having theprojections also having a portion disposedat an angle to the main bodythereof between the said projections providing a bearing surface onwhich the armature member rocks, and resilient means cooperating withone of said members and the said portion at an angle on the other memberfor biasing the armature member to the unattracted position.

12. An electromagnetic device comprising a magnet frame, an armaturebiased to the unattracted position supported by the frame, the saidarmature formed of a stamping of flat metal with integral projectionspassingthrough corresponding apertures in the magnet frame to form ahinge connection, and a kicked-up end between the said projectionsforming a stop for the armature and having a rounded portion on whichthe armature rocks. V J

13. An electromagnetic device comprising an electromagnet, an armatureformed of a stamping of fiat magnetic material, an L- shaped magnetframe member formed of a stamping of fiat magnetic material and havingone end secured to one end of the core of the electromagnet and theother end forming a support for the armature adjacent the other end ofthe said core, the said armature having integral projections cooperatingwith corresponding apertures in the magnet frame to form a hingeconnection between the armature and the frame and a kicked-up endbetween the said projections acting as a stop for the armature andhaving a rounded edge at the bend of the kicked-up portion on which thearmature rocks, and resilient means cooperating with the kicked-up endand the support for biasing the armature to its unattracted position.

14. An electromagnetically' operated device havin a substantially fiatstrip of magnetic material of substantially uniform width and thickness,the said magnetic circuit comprising an L-shaped magnet frame'and anarmature cooperatin with the frame to complete the magnetlc circuit, anelectroa'magnetic circuit formed of magnet secured within the angle ofthe said frame, the central portion of the end of said armature kickedup at an angle to the main body of the armature forming a stop for thearmature and an edge at the apex of the angle thereof about which thearmature rocks, leaving an integral projectionon each side of thecentral portion extendin from the main body of the armature, the saidprojections passing through slots in the said frame to form a hingeconnection between the frame and said armature, and resilient meanscooperating withthe said frame and the said central portion of thearmature. for biasing the armature to the unattracted position.

In witness whereof, I have'hereunto set my hand this 16th day ofSeptember, 1920.

EUGENE R. CARIOHOFF.

